Nerve cut (severed) during surgery

Anyone had this?...what am I to expect? Dr said that my nerve on right side of foot was severed on accident while taking out subtalar implant, cant feel smaller toes or top of the foot. Anyone have a clue what to expect? I love my doctor and told him it happens, no ones perfect. It is not like he did it intentionally.

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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It is possible to offer only some general thoughts and suppositions regarding a situation which lacks any real defining information, but certainly, nerves are sometimes accidentally severed during surgical procedures. Repair by microsurgery may be possible, but probably won't be considered in such a situation as of which you speak. How much, if any, return of feeling you might achieve over time is unpredictable, and if any is ever forthcoming, it may take many months. Traumatic stump neuroma or entrapment of the proximal segment of the severed nerve with ensuing phantom sensations may be a possible complication. Unless there is definitive knowledge that the nerve was completely severed, it may have only been damaged, and may possibly return to partial or complete function in time. Sensation is a first line of defense, and when lacking it will be imperative that you visually check any areas of insensitivity for irritation and injury, and take appropriate measures before serious problems ensue.

Thanks for your time and effort, but you did have an open comment that sounded like a question "Unless there is definitive knowledge that the nerve was completely severed, it may have only been damaged".

Thanks for the Pro bono work you do,
Rachel

Oh and I would also like to thank Dr. Katz for an answer in email that explained quite a bit, and NO in case your wondering never once was cryo mentioned.

My biggest concern is my line of work, I work in Law Enforcement Swat team, and I would hate to not be able to return to work etc. I am a field training officer and I must be able to run, walk, jump. I do quite a bit of pro bono work without thanks as well, sucks eh.

How very interesting that I there were two responses to my last reply in this thread . . . one, the real purpose of which seemed to be to gratuitously laud a supposed email contact from Doc "Cryo" in response to the questioner's post (although the questioner gave no name or email address to which a reply might have been made), and the second, which was most probably from the actual initial poster. Can you say shenanigans, Doc Freeze? Spare me the replies, as I won't be indulging in this game.

Thanks for your time and effort, but you did have an open comment that sounded like a question "Unless there is definitive knowledge that the nerve was completely severed, it may have only been damaged".

Thanks for the Pro bono work you do,
Rachel

Oh and I would also like to thank Dr. Katz for an answer in email that explained quite a bit, and NO in case your wondering never once was cryo mentioned.

Yea this was the original posters post.

My email is eatmorechicken@frontiernet.net It would not let me edit my post because you can't if it's been 10 minutes or more since you originally posted the message.

But seriously ty footdoc, was just trying to let you know it was definitely severed to see if you could give some insight on it.

My surgeon intentionally cut the nerve just above right ankle about 4-5 years ago. Since then I have suffered from chronic pain and sensitivity in the area on a daily basis. The sensitivity felt like an electric shock any time my foot came in contact with anything (even water). The surgeon told me it was "neurological" pain (eg. it was all in my head) and that the swelling had nothing to do with the cut nerve.

Wellllll, I finally had surgery once again 3 days ago to remove a screw. The surgeon agreed to have another look at the nerve, and guess what?

He found that the cut nerve (from leg side) had grown into a "stump" and that new branches were growing looking for a way to join the other end of the nerve. The stump was actually nerve mass. He has now cut back the branches and wrapped the stump around itself (how he did that I don't know) and buried it deep inside the ankle area.

For the past three days I have not suffered any pain, except for where the skin has been stitched back together. The doctor even admitted that he now believed that I was not bluffing about the pain and that he had never seen that kind of damage/regeneration previously.

I sincerely hope that you do not suffer pain the way I have, and that if you do, your surgeon/doctor does not disbelieve you when you complain.

P.S. My surgeon is a leading foot doctor in Sydney, Australia with many years experience.

Anyone had this?...what am I to expect? Dr said that my nerve on right side of foot was severed on accident while taking out subtalar implant, cant feel smaller toes or top of the foot. Anyone have a clue what to expect? I love my doctor and told him it happens, no ones perfect. It is not like he did it intentionally.

My doctor told me he had to cut through the nerve to get to the ligament to repair. When I complained about the loss of feeling similar to what is described above, he said the nerve is just angry and will settle down. It's been 3 years and I am still searching around on the internet for some relief. Burning pain, tingling, burning especially when I am sitting in the evening and in bed at night. What can I do for relief?

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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It is the general responsibility of the skilled surgeon to know the anatomy and to avoid unnecessary damage to structures and tissues just because they are in the proximity of the site to be repaired. I cannot speak for your individual case, but in general I would think in not so that the doctor HAS TO cut a nerve in order to repair a ligament. There is probably little likelihood that it will spontaneously improve after 3 years. I don't know what if anything can be done for you now, as I am not privy to the particulars of your case, but if it is a pure sensory nerve, it might be necessary to perform a neurolysis. I would suggest you see someone who specializes in repair and or treatment of nerves.

Thank you. I didn't think it was going to spontaneously recover anytime soon. My doctor just kind of dismissed this nerve pain, almost like it really isn't that big of a deal. Sometimes it is and sometimes it is not. I have just been dealing with it. Last night was particularily trying and just stumbled upon this forum.

I sprained my ankle and 5 months later ended up with surgery. The incision was just below the "ankle bone," left side of left foot.
I do have RLS. And Plantar Fasciitis in the right foot that took at least a year with PT to start to heal, eventually i had an injection. It seems to be coming back. I am doing the exercises previously prescribed by the PT now.

Since most everthing. not PF, is amplified in the evening, is there something I can do to lessen the irritation? The way I sit or the position my legs are in?

My mother had knee replacement surgery about a year ago now. The first month or so was great - no more pain - everything working perfectly - she even started golfing again. At about 3 months she started tripping and falling. This has increased ever since and now it is daily she falls and hurts herself. She uses a cane now and can hardly walk at all. The Dr. told her it was a nerve damage that was causing the 'drop foot' that was causing her falling. His exact words to her in my presence were 'suck it up buttercup'. He said nothing can be done and it was a risk she had taken. She isnt angry at the Dr at all but she is angry with her lot in life now. She can no longer drive, as she cant get to the car alone. We are pretty rural and I was just wondering if we did get an appointment to see a specialist in the city, that there might be some hope. The city is 3 hours drive away and the line up for appointments is over 6 months. She is on the waiting list. Is there any exercize she can do in the mean time to help?
Thanks
Terra

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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If she truly has a drop foot from a severed nerve which cannot be surgically repaired, it is probably unlikely that her status will change for the better. Spring-loaded braces are available to assist in passive dorsiflexion of the foot. She should probably be seen by a rehabilitation brace specialist.

Hello out there . I just read all the responces to nerves cut during surgery. This
is unfortunatly something that gas happened to me to I am afraid. Repo weeks ago I shot a nail into my upper inner left leg about four inches from the crotch. The nail sank below the skin about an inch and just missed a major artery in my leg. Well I needed surgery to have it removed. They told me they would make a one inch cut to find it and take it out. The day after surgery I noticed the whole top of my left leg from the front of the knee to the ankle was numb . Like asleep . Sensory was not intact and similar sensations described by others that had similar missfortunes. When the Doc came in to check out my surgery site and removed the bandage I was shocked to see they had cut almost FIVE inches long to get the nail. Just plain rediculus espesialy since the MRI could have told them exactly where it was ! So now along with a huge scar on my leg and what appears to be a cut nerve that is probably the lower trailing part of my siatic nerve , I ask you , should I be pissed off and go see a Lawyer and sue for malpractice ?
Looks like from what I have read it's permanante. Anyone think that the surgion should be able to recognize a major nerve and be careful nit to damage it ? Anyone think I have a case ? I am pissed.

I fell in march of 2011 and and shaterd my leg right above the anckel so they put in plates and screws both bones i had pain still when walking on it and standing. each side of my foot when tuched it felt wired like i knew it was tuched soft but it felt odd hard to explain it but dec 23 2011 they had to go in a remove the hardware to see if it would relive pain but now i have a burning and server pain and some odd feeling in the top part of my foot and my to lil toes have a same feeling. I talked to my dr and he told me that it might have got severed. I know that it is not going to go away over night it seems that i do have a hard time finding something to put on my foot and wish i could find out how to keep anythang from even blowing on it but that it not what i want to ask. what i want to ask is will that pain get less or stay the same.
thank you for your time.

I appreciate anyone who responds to this negative or positive all is helpful.
Thursday appparently i am to decide what leg they cut nerves on to relieve extreme pain from nueropathy. I am willing to try anything but I am wondering on the details of this. False hope? Is even amputation better?
I cannot walk like this so even having no legs is a bonus if i dont feel this. I know what pain is so im not a wuss. ive walked on shattered ankles for a mile and many other things and it does not compare. The difference also in that you know your shattered feet will get better. this wont.
I just dont know anymore. any advice is helpful and i thank you tons in advance.

Just looking for some info. Several years ago I had surgery to remove a tumor from my left ankle. A few years after I had another surgery to remove another tumor same ankle same area. In the second surgery A nerve was completely severed. I eventually healed but had numbness in the last two toes and along the top left of my foot. I noticed another lump several months ago and shortly after began to experience pain. The lump grew fairly rapidly so to the dr I went . After mri, it was concluded that I had a stump neuroma on one part of the nerve that was severed. The other half of the nerve could not be found, and was suggested to be engulfed in scar tissue. I had surgery to remove the neuroma. The surgeon cut back the nerve,encased the end with something and then placed it inside my muscle. It's been about 8 weeks and I am not sleeping due to pain. I am experiencing swelling, burning(almost like blister feeling) on my heel. Two veins now protrude on my heel. Nerve like pain travels up to my knee frequently. I have now lost all feeling in the left side of my heel. Any advice besides taking lyric? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

I appreciate anyone who responds to this negative or positive all is helpful.
Thursday appparently i am to decide what leg they cut nerves on to relieve extreme pain from nueropathy. I am willing to try anything but I am wondering on the details of this. False hope? Is even amputation better?
I cannot walk like this so even having no legs is a bonus if i dont feel this. I know what pain is so im not a wuss. ive walked on shattered ankles for a mile and many other things and it does not compare. The difference also in that you know your shattered feet will get better. this wont.
I just dont know anymore. any advice is helpful and i thank you tons in advance.

I am sorry to hear this but I ahve a similar situation. Can you email me - I would love to tallk to you more about this. I am scheduled to have surgery next month - april 2013. Russell rfmaize@aol.com

I also had a nerve cut during surgery, you have done the same I have done, Forgive. However, they are the one making 100K+ on you and you are the one stock with this forever my Dear friend. I am since 2006 and had 4 surgery to help the pain, NO SUCH THING AS PAIN CONTROL> You are, like me, DOOMED, Thanks to your SERGEON who did buy himself a Mercedes Benz on you !